Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2006-09-04-Speech-1-169"
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"en.20060904.21.1-169"2
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"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, like all observers, I was very impressed with the high turnout, the discipline and excellent organisation, a real feat in a country such as Congo, where both infrastructure and communication are lacking. The euphoria of the moment, however, should not blind us to certain developments that give less cause for optimism and more cause for disquiet.
First of all, there were the extravagant and disproportionate election campaigns waged by a handful of big players, while other candidates did not even have the absolute minimum at their disposal. The large-scale misuse of government funds meant that the playing field could hardly be described as level. Only those with funds and a private militia were able, and allowed, to take part, which begs the question of where the money came from all of a sudden.
Secondly, there was the very negative campaign from a certain corner of the opposition which put itself offside. The nationalistic, patriotic discourses of those men degenerated into language with genocide overtones, and it is regrettable that other candidates adopted it as well. Major frustration even led to the reproach that the international community and the EU were taking sides. This reproach intoxicated even those politicians, who, like Tintin, had only discovered Congo, and it makes no sense whatsoever: the truth is that there would probably never have been elections in Congo had it not been for Commissioner Michel’s unstinting efforts.
Finally, there is the painful conclusion that Congo’s democratisation process remains very fragile. The events of 20 August have left a bitter aftertaste, along with the fear that a long campaign which has divided the country into West and East will, in the long term, fail to produce the stability that is hoped for. The Congolese people fortunately did not respond to the provocations. They are desperate for peace, and deserve better."@en1
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